I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like a good story. A story with historical truth, that is remarkable and compelling for the audacity of what “went down” is even better. This week there are several interesting wine-related news/events links I could send your way. But I’m going to streamline your wine reading instead by pointing you in only one direction….

Last Friday as my post was hitting the web-waves, Deborah Blum from Slate was churning out a deliciously interesting article about Prohibition days in America. I love history, but somehow my AP American History class skipped over this particular snapshot of what the US government was willing to do (kill) to enforce the new law. Grab your cup of coffee or enjoy a great lunch break at your desk this afternoon; this is a great read!

What other historic snapshots from Prohibition do you know of that are similarly voyeuristically compelling today?

Some of us are comfortable drinking Port all year long (with or without a slight chill), but many more of us find it most compelling after a full day at the office, followed by an evening rendezvous with Mr. Shovel…. No doubt, with snow finally falling in Boston, it’s hard not to think about (let alone enjoy) these noteworthy dessert wines!

There are myriad styles of Port on the market – from white Ports to Ruby’s, Tawny’s, Vintage Ports and everything in between! When most people think of Port they are most often thinking of Tawny’s. So today at  Wicked Local we delve into this highly sought and oh-so-enjoyable libation.

Which Port is your fan favorite this winter?

I’ve been reading and rereading the astoundingly delicious Adventures on the Wine Route by Kermit Lynch for at least a year now. It is so well written and such a delightful trip through wine country – from seemingly “ages” ago. Lynch writes about tasting wines from the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s – even the 1920s! It provides tremendous perspective, that’s for sure.

But what I find most compelling about the book as a whole is Lynch’s search for totally unadulterated juice. Today it is appreciated (or understood?) more, perhaps; yet this idea of using modern tools and approaches gets more play, I’d argue.

Today, pop over to this post by Eric Asmiov – and spend a few extra minutes reading BOTH articles he links to, particularly the one by Cory Cartwright. Personally, I would love to see more people more naturally through the course of things embrace “the diversity” in wine.

Do you find wines with a more “modern” flare more or less appealing?  Is this idea even something you consider when you are wine shopping?

Many folks get obsessed with whether a vintage is “good” one or not. At the end of the day what consumers may or may not recognize is how a particular wine from a particular vintage will evolve simply on the shelf, in its bottle, over the course of one year. Here we are in the middle of February, on the cusp of vintage changes; this is the time when many red wines are really ready to drink!

Learn more about the benefits of February wine shopping by heading over to Wicked Local today!

Are you compelled to purchase a case of vino this time of year, before new vintages are released? Or are you happy to just roll with the punches and see what the coming year has to bring?



A bit of business and a bit of fun this week in wine! Let’s get the business out of the way first:

It looks like the 2009 crop in California is going to keep the price ship rather righted moving forward! Gotta love the economic principle of supply and demand. Check out this article on what the Press Democrat (at least) thinks we can come to expect moving forward.

Next up… a Cork Report! There are a bunch of wine bottle stoppers on the market now, made from myriad materials. Traditionalists still appreciate finding real cork under the foil. Environmentalists and others in the wine trade promote other closures as the better way to go.  Read this Decanter article to find out what Portugal is doing by way of cork promotion these days.

And yes, we’ve saved the best for last! What with Valentine’s Day this weekend, I’m sure you’ve seen quite a bit about either chocolate or wine recommendations – or both! But are they a really a good match, or just a traditional pairing with no real rhyme or reason? Enjoy the debate as translated by Dr. Vino!

What’s your Valentine’s Day wine choice this year?